Microrobots for neurosurgical applications

1 . A micro-robot configured to be inserted into a patient's body comprising:

a body;

a helical ridge disposed on an exterior surface of the body; and at least one end effector comprising a reservoir, the end effector coupled to the body;

wherein the reservoir comprises teeth and threads;

wherein at least a portion of the micro-robot comprises a magnetic material; and

wherein the micro-robot is further configured to be manipulated via a magnetic stimulus external to the patient's body.

2 . The micro-robot of claim 1 , wherein the teeth are configured to extract a biological sample from the patient; and

wherein the threads are configured to store the biological sample.

3 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the body is substantially oblong.

4 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the end effector is configured to store and deliver a therapeutic substance to the patient.

5 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the teeth form a perimeter; and

wherein the threads are located inside the perimeter.

6 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a polymer material; and

wherein the magnetic material is coated on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body.

7 . The micro-robot of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic material comprises nickel.

8 . The microrobot of claim 6 , wherein the magnetic material comprises a semi-hard magnetic nickel thin film; and

wherein the microrobot is further configured to be capable of bidirectional stick-slip.

9 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a polymer material and the magnetic material is disposed in an interior of the body.

10 . The micro-robot of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic material comprises NdFeB.

11 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the helical ridge is configured to reduce adhesion to a biological tissue inside the patient.

12 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the helical ridge is configured to cause the micro-robot to move through a fluid inside the patient.

13 . The micro-robot of claim 2 , wherein the helical ridge is configured to tunnel through a tissue of the patient; and

wherein the end effector comprises a drill.

14 . A system comprising:

the micro-robot of claim 1 ; and

a controller comprising:

a user interface;

one or more electromagnetic coils configured to generate a magnetic field within a working area; and

a circuitry configured to modulate at least one of:

an electrical current, a frequency, or a voltage of the one or more electromagnetic coils responsive to an input to the user interface to manipulate the micro-robot in the patient's body.

15 . The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a surgical tool configured to bore a cranial hole in the patient; and

a delivery cannula configured to deliver the micro-robot through the cranial hole.

16 . A method comprising:

controlling the micro-robot of claim 1 to travel to a site located in the patient's body; and

controlling the micro-robot to perform at least one task.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

boring a cranial hole; and

translating the micro-robot through a delivery cannula at least partially inserted within the cranial hole.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein controlling the micro-robot to perform the at least one task is selected from the group consisting of:

actuating the at least one end effector to deliver a therapeutic substance;

actuating the at least one end effector to extract a biological sample from the patient and to store the biological sample;

delivering an ultrasonic signal to the micro-robot;

delivering a radiofrequency signal to the micro-robot;

exposing the micro-robot to a chemical stimulus, wherein the micro-robot is configured to receive and act upon the chemical stimulus; and

combinations thereof.

19 . A method comprising:

translating the micro-robot of claim 1 through a delivery cannula to a first site;

modulating a magnetic field surrounding the first site and a second site located in the patient's body such that the micro-robot performs at least one of:

rolling across a tissue surface;

tunneling through the tissue surface; or

swimming through a fluid; and

controlling the micro-robot to perform at least one task.